Two infant deaths in one day lead to safe sleep program in Kansas City

The deaths of two babies in Kansas City prompted a warning about safe sleep as a way of preventing Sudden Infant Death Syndrom (SIDS).

The babies, both less than six months old, were both found dead on the same day, about three weeks ago.

The tragedy led to action, said Kansas City Police Capt. Ryan Mills.

"It's difficult for the first responders, I understand, that respond to those scenes, but it's also unimaginably difficult for the families that have to experience that," Mills said. "It was really important for me to try and spread some information or educate the public through our resources and through our partners in the city on what we can do to help prevent those occurrences."

Mills reached out to Children's Mercy Hospital. Officers will hand out safe infant sleep pamphlets to educate parents and caretakers."As we're in the hospital, and as we're raising these kids and as we go to doctors appointments and checkups, you know, they tell us these things over and over, but everyone thinks it's not going to happen to me, but the reality is, it does happen," Mills said.

They want to spread the word about proper sleep practices, said Brad Winfrey, manager of the Center for Childhood Safety and Injury Prevention at Children's Mercy.

"So, safe sleep basically involves the child in the crib, or bassinet, or a Pack N Play, with nothing else in the crib, but the infant, a firm mattress, a fitted sheet, and the child in a onesie or a sleep sack," Winfrey said.

Allowing an infant to sleep with parents can have tragic consequences, Winfrey said.

SIDS is the leading cause of death for children between the ages of one month and 12 months, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.